We absolutely love our dogs. They are lovable, cute, loyal, fun, and many of us just have to have them. However, if you’re renting, getting and keeping a dog can be quite a chore. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most important things to consider when searching for the best dog for apartment living.

COST

When paying rent, the last thing most people want to do is add another several hundred dollars on top of a deposit, rent, utilities, laundry facilities, parking costs, and more. You will likely have to pay extra pet rent, but if you search in the right places, there are plenty of adorable little pups to find for affordable prices.
The Humane Society is a great source for finding the perfect pet that won’t break the bank. A simple Google search “Humane Society of San Diego” (or whatever your state/city may be) will help you find the results you are looking for. They have dozens of potential heart-thieves.
When considering the cost of the dog up front, you must also recognize the cost of care will always be more than buying the pet in the first place.

CARE

A common perception among apartment-dwellers is that small dogs are best. While the size of the dog compared with square feet of your apartment would support this notion, you still have to be careful to identify which breeds will be the most ideal, after taking size into consideration.
A huge advantage to small dogs is the amount of food they eat. As a kid, I was raised along side a Saint Bernard/Golden Retriever mix. His name was Rambo, and he could have eaten a horse (or me) if we let him. I never once considered the amount of money my parents must have spent for his dog food. With smaller dogs, however, one large bag lasts for several months, or small bags that must be replaced more frequently, but are easier to store.
All dogs love attention. In some form or another, they need to be loved. Some need to be cuddled and petted on your lap, while others just have to escape the house and go running or play fetch. While all dogs should get exercise, it can be more important to some than it is to others. You’ll want to consider this part of your lifestyle as well. Ask a professional when looking into this.
Also consider the amount of clean-up you may have to do. Some dogs shed once a season or so. While this is usually the time when owners go crazy, there are things you can do to avoid or manage the situation.
Finding a short-haired dog will usually prevent seasonal insanity. Chihuahuas are spunky little dogs who also happen to be very common in many humane society locations. They are quite loyal to one person, and peaking energy could be a lot to handle, but they are a great pet if you don’t have time to go running every single day and you hate the idea of organic shag carpet all over your apartment.

CONCLUSION

Remember that there are plenty of wonderful dogs available to you through sites like the Humane Society or local listings. Many times these animals are orphaned not because of anything of their doing, rather financial duress or other hard times befall the family of caretakers. My widowed grandmother just recently found a great little chihuahua who was well trained and gives her the love and attention she needs while others can’t be around.
Many people might suggest a specific breed for you and your apartment, and they could very well be right. With the information here, you should be able to make your own decision, using the professional caretakers as a strong reference.
Decide which elements of a pet are most important for you. Decide which things you simply cannot and will not put up with. Create a list of those things and keep them with you as you search for your future best friend. This is the best way to find good dogs for apartment living.
Good luck!